Northampton Town set out to begin 2023 on a positive note when they play host to Leyton Orient at the Sixfields Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Both teams failed to come out on top in their final outings of 2022 and will now seek to kick off the New Year with three very important points.
Match preview
Northampton saw their run of five matches without a defeat come to an end at the hands of Swindon Town following a narrow 2-1 loss on Thursday.
Goals in either half from Tyrese Shade and Marcel Lavinier left Jon Brady's men with a mountain to climb before Sam Hoskins pulled one back late on.
While the Cobblers remain third in the League Two table halfway through the 2022-23 season, they have now fallen a whopping 10 points off the top.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are yet to win any of the most recent five meetings between the teams across all competitions.
Currently with the joint second-best attacking record on home turf in the division, Monday's hosts will aim to put on a show in front of what is set to be an expectant home support.
Leyton Orient played out a share of the spoils for the second consecutive match courtesy of a goalless stalemate against Newport at the Rodney Parade on Friday.
Despite being in the ascendancy for large spells of the contest, Richie Wellens's men failed to find the breakthrough and were nearly dealt a sucker punch at the other end.
Having picked up 14 points from the last 18 available, the O's sit top of the standings, five points clear of nearest challengers Stevenage.
Monday's visitors, who have amassed more points on the road than any other League Two side, now go in search of a third victory in four matches away from home.
Team News
Northampton forward Sam Hoskins notched up his 15th league strike of the season against Swindon, extending his lead at the top of the scoring chart to two goals.
Jack Sowerby is currently battling with a minor muscle problem, which is set to rule the Englishman out of contention for Monday's affair.
Jordan Brown had to make do with a place on Leyton Orient's bench last time out, and the 21-year-old will be targeting an immediate return to the XI.
Off the back of four clean sheets in a row, the centre-back pairing of Daniel Happe and Omar Beckles is unlikely to be altered, with Lawrence Vigouroux remaining in goal.
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Burge; McGowan, Sherring, Guthrie, Odimayo; Fox, Leonard, McWilliams; Pinnock, Appere, Hoskins
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Vigouroux; Hunt, Happe, Beckles, James; Clay, El Mizouni; Kelman, Moncur, Archibald; Drinan
We say: Northampton Town 1-1 Leyton Orient
Northampton Town have not fared well in this fixture of late, but their recent home record should give them reason for optimism. We expect an open and end-to-end clash with both teams going for maximum points, albeit all to no avail, with honours even in the end.
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